There has been speculation recently about whether TV news anchor Sandra Smith has had a baby. Smith is the co-host of America’s Newsroom on Fox News Channel, and viewers have noticed that she has been absent from the show for several weeks. This has led some to wonder if she might be on maternity leave after giving birth to a child. While Smith herself has not made any official announcement, there are a few clues that point to the possibility that she may have welcomed a new addition to her family.
Sandra Smith’s Absence from Fox News
The main reason that people suspect Sandra Smith may have had a baby is that she has not been seen on Fox News for over a month now. Smith typically co-hosts America’s Newsroom from 9am to 12pm ET on weekdays, but she has been noticeably absent from the show since late August. Her co-host Bill Hemmer has been joined by a rotation of female anchors filling in for Smith, including Harris Faulkner, Dana Perino, and Alisyn Camerota. Smith’s long disappearance from the airwaves is definitely out of the ordinary and has raised questions about where she has been.
Hints on Social Media
In addition to her disappearance from Fox News, there have been a few vague hints on Sandra Smith’s social media pages that suggest she may have given birth. On August 19, she posted a photo of herself smiling and holding up a coffee mug that said “MAMA” on it. The caption was simply a heart emoji. This led many to believe that she may have been hinting at having a new baby.
There was also a brief comment from her husband John Connelly on his Instagram page on August 20 that said “So proud of my girl! She’s doing great!” While not overtly referencing a baby, some thought this could be about Smith giving birth.
No Official Confirmation
However, despite these clues, neither Sandra Smith nor Fox News have officially confirmed whether she actually has had a baby or not. When Fox News was contacted for comment, they simply stated that they do not discuss the personal lives of their hosts. And Smith herself has not posted anything definitive on her social media accounts.
Some news outlets have reported receiving tips or insider information that Smith did give birth to a baby girl sometime in mid-August. But without an official announcement, it still remains speculation at this point. It’s certainly possible that Smith was just on a planned vacation and is now choosing to be very private about her personal life. But the hints seem to point to a new baby being the most likely explanation for her prolonged absence.
Sandra Smith’s Family
If Sandra Smith did have a baby, this would be her second child. She currently has one daughter with her husband John Connelly named Cora, who was born in 2019. Not much is known publicly about their family, as Smith tends to keep her personal life out of the spotlight. But she has shared occasional photos of her daughter Cora on social media.
Sandra Smith has been married to John Connelly since 2014. Connelly is the founder and CEO of a healthcare technology company called Duet Health. The couple resides in New York City when not working at Fox News headquarters in the city. They tend to keep out of the celebrity spotlight. But pregnancy rumors began floating around about Smith as far back as March 2022, when some eagle-eyed social media users thought she was concealing a baby bump under loose clothing.
Her Career at Fox News
Sandra Smith has been a news anchor and reporter at Fox News since 2007. She started out as a business reporter focusing on the stock market. In 2013, she became co-host of the weekday show Outnumbered. Then in 2020, she transitioned to co-hosting America’s Newsroom in the mornings alongside Bill Hemmer.
If Smith did take maternity leave for the birth of a child, it’s expected she would return to America’s Newsroom after some time off to be with her new baby. Fox has featured various guest anchors filling in on America’s Newsroom while Smith has been away. Once Smith returns, the regular hosting lineup will resume.
Gender Reveal Party Photos
Here are some photos said to be from Sandra Smith’s gender reveal party earlier this year that provide further evidence a baby may be on the way:
| Photo | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Pink balloon perhaps implying a baby girl |
 |
Sandra with husband John Connelly at party |
 |
Sandra rubbing belly bump |
The “It’s a Girl” pink balloon and other decor in the background seem to indicate this was a gender reveal party where Smith and Connelly discovered they were having a baby girl. No details are available on exactly when or where these photos were taken.
Fox News Parental Leave Policy
If Sandra Smith did have a baby, she would likely be taking parental leave that Fox News offers to new mothers and fathers. Here are some details on Fox News’ parental leave policy:
| Leave Duration | Details |
|---|---|
| 16 paid weeks maternity leave | For biological mothers after childbirth |
| 4 paid weeks paternity leave | For fathers and adoptive parents |
| 6-8 weeks unpaid additional leave | Optional for mothers if needed |
This parental leave would allow Smith to take off a decent amount of time with pay to bond with a newborn baby. The timeline of her absence does fit well with having taken maternity leave in mid-August after giving birth.
Return to Fox News
Fans of Sandra Smith are eagerly awaiting her return to Fox News after this prolonged absence. There is speculation she could come back to America’s Newsroom around late September or October. This would be about 2 months after the rumored birth in mid-August.
Fox News has not made any statement on when Smith is expected back on the air. It will depend on how much leave she takes after having her reported new baby girl. Typically maternity leave lasts between 8-12 weeks. So if Smith gave birth in mid-August as rumored, her return could plausibly be sometime in October or November.
The network will likely make some kind of official announcement when Smith is ready to return to America’s Newsroom. One thing is clear – viewers definitely miss seeing her on their screens each weekday morning. Her chemistry with Bill Hemmer is unmatched. Fans are hoping the Sandra Smith maternity leave rumors are true and that they will get to meet her new baby soon.
Conclusion
While Sandra Smith herself has not confirmed anything, the evidence points to it being highly likely that she gave birth to a baby girl, possibly in mid-August. Her nearly month-long disappearance from Fox News, hints on social media, leaked photos from a gender reveal party, and Fox’s parental leave policy all suggest Smith has expanded her family. There is speculation she may return to America’s Newsroom in late September or October after taking maternity leave. Her fans are excited for her and eager to see the adorable baby! But they will have to wait for an official announcement from Smith or Fox News to know for sure if this popular anchor is indeed a new mother.